Returning to the United States a few days ago after a remarkable Olympic Games, Victor Wembanyama didn’t wait long before making a buzz there again.

Recently, it was with the help of one of his young compatriots that he captivated.

Unlike many other European prospects, he began to dazzle American fans several years before registering for the NBA Draft.

Barely 16 years old, Victor Wembanyama was already making waves on the other side of the Atlantic.

One video in particular allowed him to become known, namely that of a matchup with, among others, Rudy Gobert:

Victor Wembanyama hallucinates with Maxime Raynaud

At the time when the images above had made the rounds of the web, Internet users around the world had noted the presence of Wembanyama, Gobert, but also Vincent Poirier.

However, that of the young Maxime Raynaud had gone somewhat unnoticed.

However, this was only a postponement for the other young and talented French interior, whose photo recently posted on Instagram was widely relayed in the US:

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Freshly elected Most Improved Player of the Year of the Pac-12 with Stanford, Raynaud managed to spend some time with Wemby despite the latter’s busy summer schedule.

The opportunity for the two giants to face off… in a little game of chess.

An activity that testifies to a shared passion for this cerebral game, and which has caught the attention of the United States:

It’s insane to me how a star like Wemby has access to all the glamour and temptations of the world, and yet at his age he chooses to read, sleep, work hard, and plays chess as entertainment. Mind blowing

— StreetCleaner (@boycottstreet) September 2, 2024

It’s crazy to me to see a star like Wemby, who has access to all the glamour and temptations of the world, preferring at his age to read, sleep, work hard, and play chess for entertainment. Bluffing

While waiting for a possible NBA draft next summer, Maxime Raynaud was recently able to rub shoulders with Victor Wembanyama and confront him via a game of chess.

It didn’t take more for some American Internet users to remain speechless.